Being a busy (newly) 18 year old with her final year of high school, production and violin to keep her constantly on the go…it’s hard to write my usual superbly crafted articles for this blog on a regular basis (note sarcasm intended) therefore every so often on a much more frequent basis I will include these ‘Assorted Nibbles’ – much like assorted nibblies you find at party they are small interesting snippets full of flavour that satiate your taste buds until the next meal arrives.

So enjoy!

Party Aftermath

“You left your mask behind

Hanging on my tree

And with a fixed grin it is

Completely mocking me”

Erin’s Study Tip: Do not do you study within arms reach of food. But do have it in arms reach of water

“He looses it in the most beautiful way” Julia Lester Classic FM Radio Announcer. What we could hope for every musician at one point in their careers.

Song I have a crush on at the moment: ‘Times Are A Changin’ cover by Tracey Chapman yeah I know classic oldie right but I am young and so have only just discovered it for myself. The words are so powerful and I’m just praying that they have as much relevance to this decade as it did in the 70’s cos there’s so much out there that needs some ‘changes’ and yes i do want to be one of those ‘writers and prophets’…and Tracey’s voice just fits suits this song so well.

Latest Mission: Making people I come into contact with feel like they matter and that they’re worthwhile. Inpisred by Gandhi who I’ve been reading about lately and how he abolished the Indian caste of the ‘Untouchables’ – let no one be an Untouchable in your life – instead reach out and touch their lives and who nkows you could change it. There’s also an Indian Caste of the ‘Invisibles’ who people dont even see. Wouldn’t it be amazing to them if someone actually looked them in the eye and noticed them for who they were. So dont ignore people even if you feel awkward around them – meet their eye and even with a simple nod acknowelge their prescence!

Have you ever noticed how manipulative this Christmas Favourite is? Let us go through the lyrics and learn a lesson in MANIPULATION TECHNIQUES!

Do not be fooled by the cheery expressions...

First verse:

“We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Good tidings we bring to you and your kin;
Good tidings for Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

LESSON #1: BUTTER UP

We can see that this first verse is very innocent and cheery. It lulls the listener into a false sense of security as they hum along and absorb all that Christmas merriment. The caroler hence is thought of as a nice, well meaning person and the listener is more likely to let them into their house and home. There is a proverb that states, “You can catch a bee better with honey than you can vinegar” which basically means SUCK UP and the sucker will come to you.

We can see that this particular caroler has taken that a step further and included the relatives; this is a gesture that can go one of two ways. If the caroler is lucky, the listener likes his relatives, the listener will be even more taken by the fact you remember his relatives. If the caroler is unlucky and the listener has terrible rellies, the listener will immediately become suspicious at this attempt and the former steps towards gaining their goodwill will be met with suspicion.

Second Verse:

“Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding;
Oh, bring us a figgy pudding and a cup of good cheer”

LESSON 2: LET YOUR DEMANDS BE KNOWN IN PLAIN LANGUAGE

We can see that this caroler has used the direct approach. Their desired object suddenly has been put out in the open for all to see: the figgy pudding. They have subtly let the listener know their real intentions: they are singing for their supper. Now, such a direct statement may take aback some listeners or may produce sympathy. If the caroler is lucky, the listener is of a sympathetic kind and along with carolers is the type to let in stray cats and give them a good meal. This kind of caroler will assume that such a direct demand is proportionate to the amount of hunger the caroler is feeling and so will serve up figgy pudding quicker than you can blink. Most listeners however will be taken aback, hostilities will rise, and so this is when the caroler quickly launches into the next verse…

Third Verse:

“We won’t go until we get some;
We won’t go until we get some;
We won’t go until we get some, so bring some out here”

LESSON #3: LEARN THE ART OF A WELL PLACED THREAT

If the listener was feeling hesitant about giving in to the caroler’s demands, this really settles the case….an effective threat. This threat is effective because it

a) Uses a threat that the listener will find very irritating. (Obviously by now the caroler is getting on their nerves so any extension of their presence is going to be a suitable punishment)

b) Used a threat they can easily carry out without discomfort or harm to themselves (unless the listener starts throwing things)

c) Used a threat that only they have the power of providing…or not providing. The listener knows that this is a situation that is all in the hands of the caroler

Verse Four:

“We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas;
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.”

LESSON #4: LEAVE ON A GOOD NOTE

We see here in the fourth verse a reiteration of the first verse, something that will bring back pleasant memories with the listener, of times before things got nasty between them and the caroler. This makes them more likely to forget all that former hostility and open their doors to the caroler the next year…and make the mistake again….